Legendary all-rounder Kapil Dev called for greater involvement of sports administrators in encouraging young talent at the grass root level.
Recalling his school days, Kapil said it was important for children to combine studies and play but laid emphasis on chasing the goal with determination.
“You can achieve nothing if you are not focussed on your goal. It is important for a child to lead a healthy life and that can be achieved only if you are a good sportsman,” said Kapil.
He was speaking at the prize distribution of the SPV inter-school cricket tournament for the M. L. Sharma Trophy at the Sardar Patel Vidyalaya here on Saturday.
Praising the young achievers for their hard work, Kapil also appealed to the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to promote the game in schools.
“Why can’t the BCCI take over the responsibility of giving facilities at the school level. They can adopt five or six schools in major cities and districts and provide adequate facilities.
“The BCCI can develop grounds for the school kids to train at. I am sure with the money that it has the BCCI can achieve this target.”
Later, inaugurating the JBM Sports Complex in Greater Noida, Kapil observed, “I am happy to see such facilities being developed at the school level. It will go a long way in encouraging kids to take to sports,” said Kapil.
The JMB School offers quality training facilities with an aim to produce some champions like Olympic bronze medallist Sushil Kumar, who also congratulated the organisers for the excellent sports facilities.
